Nursing Elites

1. In the Gram Stain procedure, which component acts as the mordant?

• A. Crystal violet
• B. Methyl alcohol
• C. Iodine
• D. Safranin

Correct answer: C

Rationale: In the Gram Stain procedure, the mordant is Gram's Iodine. The purpose of the mordant is to form a complex with the crystal violet, enhancing its ability to bind to the cell wall. Crystal violet is actually the primary stain used in the Gram Stain procedure to initially color all cells. Methyl alcohol is the decolorizer that removes the crystal violet from certain cell types. Safranin is the counterstain used to stain those cells that did not retain the crystal violet stain after the decolorization step.

2. Which action is appropriate for the nurse to delegate to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP)?

• A. Listen to a patient's lung sounds for wheezes or rhonchi.
• B. Label specimens obtained during percutaneous lung biopsy.
• C. Instruct a patient about how to use home spirometry testing.
• D. Measure induration at the site of a patient's intradermal skin test.

Correct answer: B

Rationale: Labeling specimens obtained during a percutaneous lung biopsy is a task that can be appropriately delegated to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) as it does not require nursing judgment. UAP can perform this task safely under the supervision of a nurse. Listening to a patient's lung sounds for wheezes or rhonchi, instructing a patient about how to use home spirometry testing, and measuring induration at the site of a patient's intradermal skin test all require nursing judgment and interpretation of findings. These tasks should be performed by licensed nursing personnel to ensure accurate assessment and appropriate intervention.

3. You are taking care of 7 patients today. One of your residents wants water; another needs help walking to the bathroom; another just stated that they have chest pain; and another is crying because his daughter did not visit him today. Which patient care task is the lowest in terms of priority?

• A. The water
• B. Help to the bathroom
• C. The chest pain
• D. The crying person

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The lowest priority patient care task in this scenario is addressing the emotional need of the patient who is crying because his daughter did not visit him today. While emotional support is important, the other needs - providing water, assisting to the bathroom, and addressing chest pain - are physical needs that must take priority as they directly impact the patient's well-being and health. It is crucial to acknowledge and address emotional needs but in this situation, the physical needs of the patients should be addressed first.

4. When preparing a patient on complete bed rest to eat, at what degree angle or more should you put the head of the bed up?

• A. 10
• B. 15
• C. 20
• D. 30

Correct answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 30. When a patient is on complete bed rest, it is essential to elevate the head of the bed at a 30-degree angle or more before meals. This position helps prevent choking and aspiration of food during eating by promoting proper swallowing and digestion. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect because they do not provide the optimal elevation needed to support safe and effective feeding for a patient on complete bed rest.

5. Which of the following descriptions best describes the function of the thyroid gland?

• A. The thyroid gland converts glucose into glycogen
• B. The thyroid gland secretes cortisol during times of stress
• C. The thyroid gland regulates body metabolism
• D. The thyroid gland affects skin pigmentation

Correct answer: C

Rationale: The thyroid gland is responsible for secreting thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), which work to regulate the metabolism of the body's cells. The primary function of the thyroid gland is to control the body's metabolic rate, affecting processes such as heart rate, temperature regulation, and energy levels. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because the thyroid gland is not involved in converting glucose into glycogen, secreting cortisol, or affecting skin pigmentation. Instead, the primary role of the thyroid gland is to regulate the metabolism and energy balance in the body.

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